News Project 2026: Shark Encounter

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The Shark encounter is definitely due for an upgrade. The ceiling is cracked, the signs look like they’re straight from the 90’s, and the fake plants and rockwork all need to be dusted. There’s also a ton of empty space on the lower level that could be filled with additional displays and theming.

I’m really hoping the penguin exhibit will be replaced with a brand new one that is integrated with Emperor, along with a theming upgrade and new indoor queue, station, and gift shop for the ride. If done properly with icy theming in the plaza and pathway from JTA it would completely transform both experiences and create an excellent Antarctica mini-land.
 
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Another canceled project that has to do with these two is the fresh water aquarium whatever happened to that? I know it closed in 2019 and has been closed ever since. It seems intact on the inside but the roof has been removed. I would love to see how intact is is on the inside aquarium area and what Seaworld planed for it and what seaworld plans for the spot in the future IMG_7092.jpeg
 
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I've seen them using that freshwater aquarium building as storage for the trick or treat candy. Does seem like a waste though. Assuming it's still up to code and everything they really ought to reopen this as some sort of aquarium or exhibit.
 
I hope SWO can get a new exhibit like this. Theirs feels so painfully out of date. It's so hard to see the sharks in the tunnel because the glass is so dirty and the water is murky.

GA Aquarium had massive whale shark exhibit that was better than Shark Encounter. I'm not asking for massive tanks like that but I'd love to see an update.

There should've been an upgrade when Mako opened. A true refresh is very long overdue
 
netdvn said:
I hope SWO can get a new exhibit like this. Theirs feels so painfully out of date. It's so hard to see the sharks in the tunnel because the glass is so dirty and the water is murky.

GA Aquarium had massive whale shark exhibit that was better than Shark Encounter. I'm not asking for massive tanks like that but I'd love to see an update.

There should've been an upgrade when Mako opened. A true refresh is very long overdue
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I guess the one in Orlando sort of got a refresh to the exterior when Mako opened, and an interior refresh around few years ago. I’d love to be wrong, but my expectations for this ‘new’ shark encounter aren’t much higher. Mainly I’m just hoping the sky ceiling and fake trees will get cleaned up and maybe some nice lights and decor added to the rest.

Wild Atlantis said:
The food court across the path has reopened largely unchanged
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Welp, that’s a shame lol. The ‘village of snack carts’ thing they like to do at this park just looks so temporary and cheap. I wonder what ever happened to that plan to build some sort of restaurant in that general area.
 
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